Thanksgiving might be just around the corner, but companies in the kitchen and bath industry don’t need that excuse to give back. In recent months, several have been partnering with charities, creating fundraisers and honoring local heroes. KBB talked with these companies to find out more.
Company: Rev-A-Shelf
Initiative: Home for Our Troops – This organization builds specially adapted, mortgage-free homes nationwide for severely injured veterans of post-9/11 to enable them to rebuild their lives.
Goal: Rev-A-Shelf has been a partner with Homes for Our Troops for more than two years, and because its products are designed to pivot, pull and slide, they provide functionality and accessibility. In a recent project, they provided products for Army Sergeant Lyndon Sampang, who was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade in 2010 and sustained severe injuries to his legs. Rev-A-Shelf provided blind corner storage, a pulldown shelf and closet pulldown rods that bring items down, allowing him to access them from a seated or lower position.
The Why: “Homes for Our Troops is very important to Rev-A-Shelf because it allows us to show our support and give back to veterans who give so much of themselves,” said Shari McPeek, advertising and public relations manager for Rev-A-Shelf. “Our partnership with Homes for Our Troops gives us a way to make a difference in a veteran’s life. It also provides a platform to educate people on the sacrifices veterans make, the obstacles many face when returning home and the importance of how adding accessibility to everyday items not only makes lives easier but provides an independence that is important to us all.”
Company: NewAir
Initiative: Good 360 – This organization’s mission is to transform lives by providing hope, dignity and a sense of renewed possibility to communities impacted by disasters or other challenging life circumstances.
Goal: NewAir is partnering with Good360 to donate at least 100 appliances to help the victims of the 2018 hurricane season rebuild. While many other organizations help with the immediate needs after a natural disaster, NewAir felt it could add more value by providing other needed products like small fridges, ice makers or heaters.
The Why: “I personally feel obligated to give back to the community because of the fortunate position I am in,” said Luke Peters, president and CEO of NewAir. “I feel that the private sector has a responsibility to help those in need and support our fellow neighbors.”
NewAir gathers products planned for donation to hurricane victims.
Company: Cosentino
Initiative: To celebrate the launch of the expanded Dekton Industrial Collection and Dekton Stonika Collection, this fall Cosentino Group is hosting 30 fundraisers at its Cosentino Centers and City Centers – each benefiting a charity in the local market. Charities include Habitat for Humanity, Homes for Our Troops, Houston Furniture Bank, New Orleans Infant Burial Foundation and SAFE of Columbia County.
Goal: “Each Cosentino center participating chose a charity that had a meaningful connection to the center and made an impact in its local community,” said Massimo Ballucchi, marketing director of Cosentino North America. “Each of these events allows us to say thank you and give back to each of the communities that have been such valued partners.”
The Why: “As a global industry leader, we recognize our success across the U.S. begins at the local level with our Cosentino Centers and City Centers,” said Ballucchi. “This spirit is an integral part not only of the Cosentino family but the organization as a whole.”
Pictured: A member of the Cosentino Fort Lauderdale Center staff and a representative of Habitat for Humanity of Broward
Company: Kesseböhmer
Initiative: In the aftermath of Hurricanes Florence and Michael, the company is launching a donation campaign to support the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina (CENC).
Goal: Donations to the Food Bank CENC help to provide food, hygiene items and cleaning supplies to those most affected by the storms. For every $20 donated, the Food Bank is able to provide 100 meals to people in need. Kesseböhmer will be running its online fundraiser from October 15 through November 30 and will match donations dollar-for-dollar up to a maximum corporate donation of $10,000.
The Why: “The Food Bank of CENC’s reach is vast and enables us to give back to our community and beyond,” said David Ivey, managing director of sales and marketing for Kesseböhmer USA, Inc.